directions to the thunder over the blue ridge
open house and air show
click map for larger view
Air Show visitors are encouraged to use exit 8 off of I-81 to enter parking areas.
State, local and military police will guide travelers through congested areas, along detour routes and into designated parking locations.
Travelers approaching the air base should expect heavy congestion and potential delays. Several streets will be closed to through traffic, which will disrupt normal travel routes, including those provided by electronic GPS navigation systems.
General traffic will not be allowed on Route 11 between Paynes Ford Road and Novak Drive.
Visitor parking for the Air Show and Open House will be in a field between Stewart Avenue and Business Park Drive. The parking area may be accessed off Business Park Drive. Buses will shuttle spectators to the nearby air base. Handicapped parking will be available at the Sino Parking Lot located on Novak Drive, vehicles must have a valid handicap placard or tags. A bus shuttle service will transport spectators near the flight line on base.
Parking on the air base will be limited to VIPs, support staff, vendors and performers. Those permitted to park on base will be given a special pass which must be displayed in the vehicle. No RV parking will be available.
Parking will be prohibited and strictly enforced on the following streets beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18. Parking will remain prohibited both days until 8 p.m.
-Route 11 from Novak Drive to Paynes Ford Road
-Business Park Drive from Novak Drive to I-81 Bridge
-Steward Avenue from Wren Street to Winchester Avenue
-Kelly Island Road from Paynes Ford Road to the base’s entrance
-Paynes Ford Road from Route 11 to Airport Road
-Airport Road from Paynes Ford Road to Novak Drive
-Novak Drive from Route 11 to Airport Road
-Those violating the parking restrictions may find their vehicles towed at their own expense.
In addition, the following parking and traffic restrictions apply during the same time period as mentioned above:
-NO PARKING will be allowed in the Orgill Business Lot on Business Park Drive
-NO PARKING will be allowed in the Polo Ralph Lauren Lot on Novak Drive
-NO PARKING will be allowed in the Park and Ride Lot located near the I-81 Bridge.
After the Air Show, spectators leaving the parking lot have the option of heading towards I-81, Route 11 South, and Novak Drive towards Route 9. Business Park Drive will turn into two lanes heading towards I-81.
Residents who live between Novak Drive and Paynes Ford Road off U.S. Route 11 will be given a special letter allowing them to pass through the traffic control points. Spectator traffic will flow around the detour route to the parking area.
The detour route will be instituted during the following times:
-Friday, Sept. 16 at 12:30 p.m. and remain in effect until 2 p.m.
-Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 a.m. and remain in effect until 7 p.m.
-Sunday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 a.m. and remain in effect until 7 p.m.
Please note that the following streets will be used for the Detour Routes:
-Primary
All thru traffic approaching the 167th Airlift Wing is strongly encouraged to utilize the alternate travel route of I-81 to bypass the base on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18. Any traffic approaching the air base should expect heavy traffic congestion and potentially lengthy delays throughout the area. Many streets will be closed to thru traffic and create confusion surrounding normal travel routes including those provided through electronic GPS Navigation Systems.
-Secondary Interior Route
The following streets have been established as the secondary detour routes should travelers need to take Route 11 (North/South) near the 167th Airlift Wing for other reasons and/or attend the Thunder Over The Blue Ridge Air Show:
Route 11 (North-South) - Paynes Ford Road to Airport Road to Novak Drive
After the Air Show - Tabler Station Road detoured on Clyde Borum Road to Apple Harvest Drive
Practice runs for the Air Show will be conducted on Friday, Sept.16, with portions of Novak Drive, Paynes Ford Road and Airport Road closed from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.